New Haven man pleads guilty to heroin distribution

NEW HAVEN >> A 30-year-old city man pleaded guilty on May 5 to a federal heroin distribution offense.

Justin Parker, also known as “Tre,” pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven federal court, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Deirdre M. Daly.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Parker was identified as a large-scale distributor of heroin in the Greater New Haven area. On multiple occasions between January and March 2016, Parker sold heroin to a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent working undercover, according to the release.

When investigators first attempted to arrest him on March 30, 2016, Parker fled the scene and was seen discarding what appeared to be packets of heroin out of the window of his car. He was apprehended the next day, officials said.

Parker pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin, an offense that carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of five years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 40 years. Judge Arterton scheduled sentencing for July 27.

Parker has been detained since his arrest March 31, 2016, officials said in the release.

This matter has been investigated by the BATFE and the New Haven Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jocelyn Courtney Kaoutzanis and Peter D. Markle.

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